Air circulating apparatus



May 18, 1937. F. MANNING 2,081,104

AIR CIRCULATING APPARATUSA Filed Juiy 1e, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 1-INVENTOR.

May 18, 1937.

F. MANNING AIR CIRGULATING APPARATUS Filed July 16, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet2 a. .o O 0 oooo 0 COL c,oo000%)39000146.10on oooO OOUQDOOUO n n 0000 0VOO INVENTOR.

May 18,` 1937.

FQ MANNING l AIR CIRCULAT'ING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 16,1955 INVENTOR..

May 18, 1937. F. MANNING v 2,081,104

AIR CIRCULATINGAPPARATUS y Filed July 16. 1935 5 sheets-sheet! BY i Ml/dATroRNEm INVENTOR. 5

May 18, 1937. F, MANNlNG 2,081,104

AIR C IRCULATING APPARATUS Filed July 16, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 D C O0 O0 o O Patented May 18, 1937 Fowler Manning, Bronxvillc, N. Y., assignorto American Radiator Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewJerseyv Application July 16, 1935, Serial No. 31,590

10 Claims.

This invention relates to air translating apparatus and moreparticularly to devices for circulating air in rooms of buildings andthe like.

In the accompanying drawings, I have chosen to show the invention asembodied in a window ventilator of the type adapted to be arrangedadjacent an opening defined by a partially raised window sash and thewindow sill, and operable to admit clean and fresh, outside air into aroom and to move the air about the room and mix the fresh air with roomair, thereby producing comfortable living conditions. It is to beunderstood, however, that my invention in 'all of its aspects is not tobe considered as limited to window ventilators, for in so far as certainof its broader aspects are concerned, it may be embodied in other typesof devices used for' circulating air in rooms and the like.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved form of aircirculating device wherein air may be directed at will to differentdesired portions of a room.

Another object ,is to provide an air circulating device of the characterreferred to, having an improved form and arrangement of louvers and alsoan improved operating means therefor, whereby the air may be simply andeasily directed to dsired portions of a room.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combinatonof parts,to be more fully described hereinafter, and the novelty of which will beparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of thisspecification, I have fully and clearly illustrated a preferredembodiment of my invention, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a Window ventilator constructed inaccordance with the present invention and showing the ventilator asmounted in position adjacent an opening provided by a partially raisedwindow sash and the window sill of a window;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of theFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical. section taken on the line 4--4 ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on the sameplane as Fig. 3 and illustrating the'various positions of the louverswhich control the air outlet in the front wall of the ventilator;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary verticalsec- (ci. eis-94) tion takenon the same plane as Fig. 4 and illustrating more clearly the detailedconstruction of the front wall louvers and their operating means;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken on theline 'I-l of Fig. 6 and illustrating the louver operating lever and theconnections between the lever and the louvers;

Fig. 81s an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig.` 5 andtaken on the line 8-'8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal. vertical sectionalview taken on the line 9-9of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 andshowing a modified form of my invention; Y

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 4 andillustrating the modified form shown in Fig. 10. l. "n e Referring nowin detail to the accompanying drawings and to the modification shown inFigs. 1 to 9, inclusive, it will be observed that I have shown myinvention in one form as embodied in a window ventilator which isindicated generally by the reference numeral Ill.v 'I'he ventilator isshown as being removably positioned' with its rear side adjacent anopening Il which is defined by a lower sash rail I2 of a window, awindow sill I3 and the sides I4 of the window casing (see Fig. 3). Theventilator rests at its rear on the window sill I3 and is suitablysupported at its front by a pair of diagonal brackets I5, the latterbeing secured respectively at their upper ends to supporting strips I6extending transversely beneath the ventilator and being secured at theirlower ends to socket members ll'carried by that portion of a wall I8 ofthe room which is beneath the window sill I3. Suitable blocks 5 serve toclose the spaces between the sides of the ventilator and the sides I4 ofthe window casing.

The ventilator I0 includes an enclosing casing structure I9 which isrectangular in shape, yas

shown, and extends longitudinally of the window opening II. The casingincludes a rear wall which is provided with an inlet opening 2|extendthereof.

A partition 21 divides the interior of the ventilator longitudinallyinto a rear inlet chamber 28 communicating through the lter 22 and theinlet 2| with the outside atmosphere, and into an outlet chamber 29communicating through a front wall outlet 24 and a top wall outlet 26with the room (see Fig. 3). The partition 21 in transverseverticalvsection resembles a question mark and comprises a verticallower portion 30 arranged in spaced parallel relation with the frontwall 23 of the casing, an intermediate diagonal portion 3| extendingupwardly and rearwardly from the top of the lower portion 30, and anupper deflecting portion`32 curved upwardly and forwardly from the topof the diagonal portion 3| to the top wall 25 of the casing and to apoint above the lower end of the diagonal portion.

Removably mounted within the casing, is a mechanism which provides forthe flow of clean fresh outside .air through the ventilator and theoutlet openings 24 `and 26 into the room. k'Ihis mechanism is shown tobe in the form of a motordriven blower unit indicated in general by thereference character 35 and including a motor 36 arranged centrally ofthe casing I9 and having a shaft 31 extending out both ends of the motorand longitudinally of the casing. The unit 35 also includes a pair ofblowers 38 arranged respectively at each side of the motor andcomprising housings 39 and centrifugal blower elements 40 arrangedrespectively in the housings and fixed to the ends of the motor shaft31. The housings are provided with inlets 4| communicating with theinlet chamber 28 and outlets 42 communicating through symmetricallyarranged openings 43 in the diagonal portion 3| of the partition 21 withthe outlet chamber 29.

The motor driven blower unit 35 and partition 21 maybe rigidly securedtogether and removed as a unit from the ventilator casing. 'Iheseelements aie supported by al channel-shaped supporting member 44extending longitudinally of and supported by a horizontal bottom wall 45of the ventilator casing. The member 44 is detachably secured to thebottom wall by bolts 46 and wing nuts 41.

The upper deecting portion 32 of the partition defines, in conjunctionwith the diagonal portion 3|, a part of a tortuous passage for the airthrough the ventilator. Other portions of this passage are defined bythe rear surface of a longitudinally extending damper 48 when the latteris in open position, which is the position shown in full lines in Fig.3. 'Ihe damper is secured at its upper end to a shaft 49 extendinglongitudinally of the ventilator. An operating lever 50 for the damperis secured to an end of the shaft 49 exteriorly of the casing. Theclosed position of the damper 48 is indicated in dotted lines and, whenin this position, flow of air through the casing is prevented. Theinterior surfaces of the outlet chamber 29 are lined with a suitablesound deadening or absorbing material indicated at 5|.

The details of construction and the arrangement of the motor-drivenblower unit 35, the partition 21 and the damper 48 form no part of thepresent invention, they having been disclosed and claimed in thecopending application for United States Letters Patent of Henry S.Woodruff and Paul T. Engelskirchen, Jr., SerialvNo. 31,584, filed July16, 1935.

According to the precent invention I provide an improved form of louvermeans in thefront wall 2,081,104 extending for substantially the fulllength outlet 24 which may be adjusted when in one extreme position todirect the air upwardly and forwardly of the ventilator, to direct theair downwardly and forwardly of the ventilator when in another extremeposition,.and to'close the outlet when in a mid-position. I also providean adjustable louver means in the top wall outlet opening 26 which isoperable to direct the air upwardly and rearwardly toward the windowsash and wall of the room when in one extreme position and to close theoutlet opening, when in the other extreme position.

This arrangement-of louver means is of particular advantage in an aircirculating device where it is desired to direct the air to -differentportions of the room for producing proper circulation conditions thereinand when it is desired to prevent thecreation of objectionable drafts.l

For example, when the air entering a window ventilator such as I havedisclosed, is substantially below the temperature of the air in the roomand the introduction of such fresh air into the room through the outletopening 24 in either of the directions provided for may be objectionableto the occupants of the room, the adjustable louver means in the outlet24 may be closed and the adjustable louver means in the top Wall outlet26 opened. With such an adjustment, 'fresh air will then be directedupwardly and rearwardly and toward the window sash and wall of the roomand be diffused upwardly and forwardly into the room, thereby effectingadequate -circulation of fresh air and room air without creatingobjectionable drafts.

As stated previously, the outlet 24-in the front wall 23 extends forsubstantially the full length of the casing. The outlet 24 isv dividedin the middle by a narrow vertical strip into a pair. of rectangularshaped openings 6I and 62. Arranged within each of these openings is aset of louver plates 63, each plate extending longitudinally across theopening and being arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect tothe other plates in its respective opening and being -ar-` ranged inalignment with a corresponding plate in the other opening.

, Each of the plates 63 is shown as being pivotally mounted at its endopposite the strip 60 by means of rivet pin 64 extending through alignedopenings in an end wall of the louver plate and in an inwardly directedflange 65 which defines the openings 6| and 62. Each of the louverplates is pivotally mounted at its end adjacent the strip 60 by means ofa pin 66 extending through aligned openings in an end wall of the louverplate and in the flange 65. The pins 66 are relatively longand extendlongitudinally behind the strip 60 and serve as pivotal supports for theadjacent ends of corresponding louvers in the openings 6| and 62.' Therivet pin 64 and pin 66 of each louver plate 63 are in alignment,thereby providing for pivotal movement of the louver plate about axeswhich are shown as being substantiallycoincident with the respectivelongitudinal center line of the A plates.

The arrangement of plates and pivotal mountings therefore, justdescribed, is such that the 8, the plates and their pivotal mountingsare artoA - the side of the lever.

provided with aligned openings, which receive the ranged in theirrespective openings so that when in closed position, a slight clearance$1 is provided Vbetween adjacent longitudinal edges of plates, therebyproviding for pivotal movement of the plates in either direction fromtheir closed position. One extreme open position of the plates is shownin full' lines in Fig. 5 and the other extreme open position of theplates is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. Figures 3 and 8 indicate theclosed position of the louver plates.

I also provide for the operation of the plates 3 in unison. 'I'o thisend, the end of each plate which is adjacent the vertical dividing striplh is provided with an inwardly extending ange SB which serves as anoperating element for the plate. A link S9 connects the anges d3 of eachset of plates t3 for operation in unison. Pins 'it and li extendingthrough aligned openings in the corresponding two middle louver platese@ of each `opening di and 62 serve to connect the two sets of platesfor operation in unison. As will be observed rom wg. 8, the pins Iii andii also serve as a portion of the connection between the links Eil andtheir respective nanges et, each of the links de being provided withbent portions l2 engaging and rigidly secured to the pins 'id and 'ilrespectively by any suitable means such, for example, as by spotwelding. Therefore, through pins lil and Il, the links d@ areoperatively connected to the flanges dii oi the two middle plates b3 ofeach set oi plates.

In order to' provide for manual operation of the louver plates in unisonfrom the exterior of the ventilator, I provide an operating devicepreferably in the form of a lever it which is iulcrumed on one of thepivotal pins E3, the latter also extending through an opening providedin the lever I3. The lever i3 is provided with an interiorly extend-uing portion ld which is in turn provided on its cxtreme inner end with aslot l5. ing cross pin ll fits within the slot l5. The outer end of the'lever extends exteriorly of the casing and sprovided with a knurledportion 'l so that it may Ebe grasped by the hand and moved up or downto operate the louver plates V63 in unison.

In order to prevent the louver plates from being moved accidentally ordueto the force ofthe air and in order to hold the plates in certainselected positions, I provide at each side of the lever a spring pressedbraking device 11 which engages the sides of the lever H3 (see Fig. '7).Each device l1 is provided with a base portion 18 arranged parallel tothe rear side of the strip 66, a ange 19 engaging the inner side of theflange B5, and a flexible or resilient iiange 80 arranged parallel tothe side of the lever and provided with a pressed out knob-likeprojection 8i engaging a relatively shallow arcuate shaped groove 82 inThe anges i9 and 80 are pin 6E forming the fulcrum for the lever 13. Thelever 13 is provided with openings 83 therethrough, at the ends and atthe middle of the grooves 82 which receive the projections BI,

which openings serve to hold the lever and louvers in either of the twoextreme positions and in the middle closed position. The resilience ofthe anges B results in the projections 8l being held tight against thelever in the grooves 82 at each side thereof and in preventingaccidental movement of the lever between openings 83 and in holding thelever more positively in its extreme and middle positions. Y y

Frorr` an examination of Fig. 5, it will be observed that when theknurled end 16 of the lever The connect- 'I3 is moved downward, thelouver plates 63 are moved in unison in a `counter-clockwise directionand provide for directing the air forwardly and the middle position ofthe lever being vthe closed position of the louvers.

The top wail outlet 26 also extends for-.substantially the full lengthof the ventilator casing and is divided at its middle by a relativelynarrow horizontal strip @9, into elongated rectangular openings Si and92. Arranged within each of the openings isa single louver plate S3which is pivotally mounted to move about an axis extendinglongitudinally of the respective opening at the forward longitudinaledge thereof. The pivotal axes are provided by rivet pins Sil'extendingthrough aligned openings in each end wall of the louver plates and intransverse nanges S depending from the top wall 25 at the end of therespective openings @i and 92.

I also provide a stop means for preventing movement of the louver plates93 beyond their fjull open and full closed positions. This stop means ishere shown as being in the form of a ange @S depending from each end ofeach louver plate 93 and provided with an arcuate slot 91 which receivesa pin de extending from the adjacent flange 5 carried by the top wall25. When the pin 93 engages either end of the arcuate slot el. thelouver plate 93 is prevented from further movement. The full openposition of the plates 93 is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and thcclosed position in full lines. y

In Figs. v and' 1l. of the drawings, I have disclosed a ventilator lawhich is constructed and operates in substantially the same manner asthe one of the previously described modicatlon, with the exception thatin Figs. 10 and 11, I also provide an outlet Idil in the horizontalbottom wall dia of the ventilator extending for substantially the fulllength thereof. The outlet ll is divided in its middle by a strip I 0linto a pair of elongated openings 02 and |03, which are rectangular inshape and extent longitudinally of the vcasing lila.

Arranged within each of the openings l B2 and |03 is a louver, plate |04which is pivotally mounted to move about an axis arranged at andparallel to the forward longitudinal edgebf its respective opening. Thepivotal mounting is provided by rivet pins i 05 extending throughaligned openingsin the end walls of the louver plates and in anges |06extending upwardly from the bottom 45a at the ends of the openings H02and w3. The full open positions of the louver plates are indicated indotted lines in Fig. 10 and in full lines at the left of Fig. 11.

The outlet ld@ in the bottom wall and the adjustable louver means in theform of the plvoted plates IM serve as a means for directing the airfrom the casing downwardly and rearwardly and toward that portion of therear wall lila of the room which is beneath the Window sill i3d, there--by providing for directing the air into the room, in an additionaldirection which will be useful casing remote from said wall of the roomand the other air outlet being in the top portion of the casing; meansproviding for the flow of air through the casing and through theoutlets; adjustable louver means in said one'air outlet and operable inone position to direct the air to a desired portion of the room awayfrom the wall thereof and operable in another position to close said oneair outlet; and adjustable louver means in the .y

youtlet in the top portion of the casing and operable in one position todirect the air from said casing upwardly and toward the wall of the roomland in another position to close said last-named vhaving a second airoutlet in the top portion thereof, and having a thirdoutlet in thebottom portion thereof; means providing for the flow of air through thecasing and through the outlets;

adjustable louver means lin the first-named air outlet operable in oneposition lto direct the air to a desired portion of the room away fromthe wall thereof and operable in another position to close said outlet;adjustable louver means in the second-named outlet and operable in oneposition to direct the air upwardly and rearwardly of the casing andtoward the wall ofthe room and operable in another position to close thesecondnamed outlet; and adjustable louver means in the third-namedoutlet and operable in one position to direct the air generallydownwardly and operable in another position to close the third-namedoutlet.

3. An air circulating device comprising. a casing structure adapted tobe arranged adjacent an upright wall of a room and having an air outletin the portion thereof remote from said wall, and having a second airoutlet in the bottom portion thereof means providing for the ilow of airthrough the casing and through the outlets into the room; adjustablelouvermeans in the firstnamed air outlet and operable in one position todirect the air to a desired portion of the room and away from the wallthereof; and adjustable louver means in said second air outlet andoperable to direct the air downwardly and rearwardly toward said wall.

4. A window ventilator comprising a casing structure adapted to bearranged adjacent a windowopening of a room and having an inlet forreceiving outside air through said opening; the casing structureincluding a front wall having an outlet and a top wall'having an outlet;means providing for the flow of outside air through the casing and intothe room through 'said outlets; adjustable louver means in the frontwall outlet and operable in one position to direct the air into the roomin a desired direction and operable in another position to close saidfront wall outlet; and adjustable louver means in the top wall outletand operable in one position to direct the air upwardly and rearwardlytoward a sash of said window and operable in another position to closethe top wall outlet.

5. A window ventilator comprising a casing structure adapted to bearranged adjacent a window opening of a room and having an inlet forreceiving outside air through said opening; the casing structureincluding a front wall having an outlet and a top wall having an outlet;means providing forthe flow of outside air through the casing and intothe room through said outlets; adjustable louver means in the front walloutlet and operable in one positionto direct the Iair upwardly andoutwardly from the front wall of the casing, operable in a secondposition to direct the air downwardly and outwardly from the front wall,and operable in a third position to close the front wall outlet; andadjustable louver means in the top wall outlet and operable in oneposition to direct the air upwardly and rearwardly toward a sash of saidwindow and operable in asecond position to close the top wall outlet.

6, An air circulating device for a room comprising walls providing acasing structure; one of said walls having an air outlet openingtherein; means providing for the flow of air through said casingstructure and the air outlet opening; and adjustable louver means insaid opening operable in one position to close the opening andoperablein other positions to direct the air to desired portions of theroom; said last-named means comprising-a plurality of similar-louverplates. each plate extending across the opening and being pivotallymounted therein to turn about an axis also extending across the openingand disposed parallel to the axis of the remaining plate or plates andlying in thelplane of the opening; the arrangementbeing such that inclosed position,

. the plates lie in the plane of the opening with a slight clearancebetween adjacent edges of the plates to provide for pivotal movement ineither direction from their closed position, each of the platesincluding an operating element projecting inwardly of the casing at oneof the adjacent ends of the plates, link means connecting the elementsof the plates for movement inunison, and a lever having a portionextending exteriorly of the casing for manual operation and a portionextending interiorly of thecasing and operativelyconnected to at leastone of said elements and mounted for pivotal movement about an axissubstantially parallel to the axis of movement of the plates.

7. An air circulating device for a room comprising walls providing acasing structure; one of said walls having an air outlet divided in themiddle by a transversely extending narrow strip into a pair ofrectangular shaped openings; blower means within said casing andprovidingfor the flow of air through the casing and the outlet openings;a pair of sets of similar louver plates arranged lrespectively in theopenings; the plates of each set being 'arranged in spaced parallelrelation'with each plate extendingacross its respective opening andaligned with a corresponding plate in the other opening; means forpivotally mounting each plate in its respective opening to turn about anaxis which is parallel to and in the same plane as the pivotal axis ofthe'remain- .ing plates of its respective opening and which iscoincident with the axis of movement of the corresponding plate in theother opening; the arrangement of louver plates being such that inclosed position they lie in the same plane as their respective openingwith a slight clearance between adjacent edges of the plates to providefor their pivotal movement in either direction from closed position;each plate including a rearwardly extending operating element; linkmeans connecting the rearwardly extending elements of each set of platesfor operation in unison; a pin connecting the element of one plate withthe eleo ment of the corresponding plate in the other opening; andmanually operable means connected to said pin and extending exteriorlyof the casing for moving all of the plates in unison in either directionfrom closed position.

8. An air circulating device for a room comprising walls providing` acasing structure; one of said walls having an air outlet divided in themiddle by a transversely extending narrow strip into a. pair ofrectangular `shaped openings; said dividing strip having an openingextending there` through; means providing for the iiow of air throughthe casing and the outlet openings; a pair of sets of similar louverplates arranged re-A spectively in the openings; the plates of each setbeing arranged in spaced parallel relation with each plate extendingacross its respective opening and aligned with a corresponding plate inthe other opening; means for pivotally mounting each plate in itsrespective opening to turn about an axis which is parallel to and in thesame plane as the pivotal axes of the remaining plates of its respectiveopening and which is coincident with the axis of movement of thecorresponding plate in the other opening; the arrangement of louveroperatively engaging said pin and an exteriorly extending portionadapted to be grasped by the hand for operation. Y

9. An air circulating device ior a room comprising walls providing acasing structure; one of said walls having an air outlet divided in themiddle by a transversely extending narrow strip into a pair ofrectangular shaped openings; said dividing strip having an openingextending therethrough; means providing for the now oi air throughthe'casing and the outlet openings; a

pair of sets of similar louver plates arranged respectively in theopenings; the plates of each set being arranged in spaced parallelrelation with each plate extending across its respective opening andaligned witha corresponding plate in the other opening; means forpivotally mounting each plate in its respective opening to turn about anaxis which is parallel to andin the same plane asthe pivotal axes of theremaining plates o! 'its respective openingand which is coincident withthe axis of movement oi .thecorresponding plate in the other opening;the arrangement oi louver plates being such that in closed position theylie in the same plane as their respective openings with a slightclearance betweenr adjacent edges of plates to provide for their pivotalmovement in either direction from closed position; each plate includinga' rearwardly extendingoperating element; link means connecting therearwardly ex- 'tending elements ot each set of plates for operation inunison; a pin connecting the rearwardly extending element of one platewith the element oi the corresponding plate in theother opening;

and a lever extending throughthe opening in said .dividing strip andhaving an interlorly extending portion operatively engaging said pin andan exterlorly extending portion adapted to be grasped by the hand foroperation; and spring pressed braking means engaging said lever andoiering resistance to themovement of said lever.

10. An air .circulating device for a room comprising walls providing acasing structure; one oi' said walls having an lair outlet openingtherein; means providing for the now of air through said casingstructure and the air outlet opening; and adjustable louver means insaid vopening operable in one position to close the opening and operablein other positions to direct the air to desired portions of the room;said last-named means comprising a plurality 'of similar louver plates,each plate extending across the opening and being pivotally mountedtherein to turn about an axis also extending across the opening anddisposed parallel to the axis of the remaining plate or plates and lyinginthe plane of the opening; the arrangement oi the 4plates beingsuchthat in closed position the plates lie in the plane oi the openingwith a slight clearance between adjacent edges .of the plates to providefor pivotal movement in either direction'irom their closed position,each oi the plates including an operating element projecting inwardly oithe casing at one ci the adjacent ends oi the plates,

link means connecting the elements of the 'plates for movement inunison, and a lever having a portion extending exterlorly of the casingfor manual operation and a portion extending interlorly oi the casingand operativelyconnected toA at least one of said elements and mountdfor pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the axis ofmovement o! theplates; and spring-pressed braking means engaging theportion of the lever which is interlorly of the casing and offeringresistance to the movement of said lever so as to hold the plates in anydesired position.

- FOWLER. MANNING.

